The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued to strengthen its leading position in the regional and international medical scene during 2025, as the tireless national efforts culminated in the Saudi Professor Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Bahammam, Professor of Sleep Medicine and Chest Diseases at the College of Medicine at King Saud University, winning the “Arab Physician” award for 2025 in the category of “Scientific Research and Innovation”.
The Arab Physician Award: Significance of Timing and Importance
This announcement was made during the 63rd regular session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers, held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States on December 18. This award holds strategic importance as it is the highest medical honor bestowed by the Council of Arab Health Ministers, and it aims to recognize Arab medical professionals who have made significant contributions to the development of healthcare and the support of scientific research addressing health challenges in the Arab region.
The Kingdom’s winning of the first (scientific research) and second branches of the award, while Egypt won the third branch, reflects the dominance of Saudi talent in the medical innovation scene, which is a natural result of a stimulating environment created by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which placed health and scientific research at the top of its priorities.
A distinguished career of Dr. Bahmam
The selection of Dr. Bahammam, who serves as Director of the University Sleep Medicine and Research Center, was not arbitrary. Council Resolution No. (3) was based on the recommendation of the technical and advisory committees, which evaluated his distinguished academic career. Dr. Bahammam is the founder of the first academic research center for sleep medicine in the Kingdom, established in 2002, a highly specialized and vital field.
Globally, Bahammam achieved a remarkable feat earlier this year by ranking sixth worldwide on the ScholarGPS list of leading scientists in the field of sleep medicine for the past five years. He has published over 400 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and authored approximately 10 scientific books, in addition to serving as president of the Asian Society of Sleep Medicine.
The impact of Vision 2030 on the health sector
This individual achievement comes within the context of a comprehensive renaissance led by the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This unlimited government support has resulted in the transformation of Saudi universities and research centers into global platforms for innovation. Evidence of this extends beyond this award alone, encompassing the Saudi healthcare system's receipt of an award and 19 international medals at the 2025 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, and the winning of nine international customer experience awards by healthcare facilities in the same year.
The Kingdom's regional role in health security
The significance of this victory transcends the local level, underscoring the pivotal role the Kingdom plays in advancing joint Arab healthcare. By leading public health initiatives, combating epidemics, and exporting successful health governance models, the Saudi experience has become a benchmark for several sister nations. King Saud University, as the home of Dr. Bahammam and other scholars, contributes to bridging the research gap in the region, offering smart and innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life for Arab citizens.
